Last Updated on January 22, 2020, 11:23 PM AST by Anthony Morris
The local film industry of Jamaica contributed around $2.5 billion to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) during the financial year 2018-19 says Film Commissioner at Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Renée Robinson.
In an interview with a local media outlet, Robinson said that the local film industry of Jamaica has grown exponentially and that the last few years have been “transformative for the film industry in Jamaica and cultural economy as a whole”.
She further noted that over the past few years, approximately 150 international film productions had been done in the island yearly, ranging from music video shoots to large-scale movie productions.
Robinson said Jamaica’s image as a “film-friendly” destination had been a critical factor in the heightened interest shown by international productions.
“The production houses come here not for the tax credits because we don’t have tax credits. They come to Jamaica because they recognise they are getting good profit for money and because they know that a film-friendly society exists here,” she added.
Robinson also said that there has been a remarkable hike in the film production expenditure in Jamaica, due to their presence.
She said that if the entire value of the production costs a certain amount, that is the value of the budget in Jamaica in terms of hiring crew, cast, location fees and renting equipment. She said along with that all the other auxiliary services, like hotels drivers, transportation and catering are required for that to spend be in Jamaica.
She said Jamaica’s popularity as a production destination had a crirtical impact on the local cast and crew, who have gained valuable experience from the presence of these international production houses.
In addition to international film productions, Robinson said there had been an increase in the production of local content.
She said they have been able to see the benefits of this. One of the outputs of having international production houses come here is in the training and improved skill sets of some of the Jamaicans working on sets. She said they also see it where Jamaicans are starting to develop their content.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
